From large-scale wildfires and major disasters to rescues, line-of-duty deaths and policy decisions, the images in this gallery reflect the wide range of events that shaped the fire service this year. These photos capture moments tied to breaking news and long-term issues alike — criminal attacks, training disruptions, legislative action, firefighter injuries and everyday calls that rarely make national headlines but deeply affect departments and communities. Together, they show how varied and complex the modern fire service mission has become.
New Orleans attack
An Army veteran driving a pickup truck wrought carnage on New Orleans’ raucous New Year’s celebration, killing 14 people as he steered around a police blockade and slammed into revelers before being shot dead by police.
- Tragedy on Bourbon Street: EMS lessons from New Year’s Eve attack
- New Orleans tragedy is latest in major vehicle-as-weapon attacks
Social Security Fairness Act signed into law
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on Jan. 5, eliminates two provisions that have long impacted public servants, including first responders: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
- Social Security Fairness Act signed into law, boosting retirement benefits for firefighters, police
- What you need to know about the Social Security Fairness Act
- What’s next for first responders after the passing of the Social Security Fairness Act
Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains near Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7 and burned more than 23,000 acres before full containment on Jan. 31. It became the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles city history, destroying about 6,800 structures, killing 12 civilians and injuring several others while forcing tens of thousands of evacuations. The blaze strained firefighting resources, deeply damaged homes and cultural sites, and has left long-term recovery and rebuilding challenges for the affected communities.
- Misinformation about wildfires spread like wildfire
- LAPD report cites communication failures, confusion with LAFD during Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire ignited on Jan. 7 in the San Gabriel Mountains near Altadena and Pasadena, driven by extreme Santa Ana winds and dry conditions that caused rapid spread into adjacent foothill communities. It burned 14,000 acres, killed at least 19 people, destroyed more than 9,000 structures and forced widespread evacuations, becoming one of California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires.
LAFD chief flagged cuts
With fires raging across Los Angeles County, news that the Los Angeles Fire Department chief pushed back on recent fire department budget cuts is resurfacing online. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley wrote in a memo Dec. 4, 2024, that “the reduction ... has severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires.”
- LAFD chief flagged budget cut impact on wildfire response last month
- Fired LAFD chief’s warnings on shortages before wildfires highlighted in new podcast
Reagan National Airport midair collision
A passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington on Jan. 29, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.
- Remains of all 67 victims of midair plane crash near D.C. recovered
- First responders honored for heroic efforts in deadly D.C. midair collision
- First responders switch from rescue to recovery after midair plane crash near Reagan National Airport
National Fire Academy cancelations
FEMA announced on March 7 that all in-person training offered by the National Fire Academy was canceled, effective immediately, until further notice. According to a notice sent to instructors, students and fire departments, “FEMA is currently in the process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities.”
- ‘This is a travesty’: Fire service leaders react to NFA training cancellations
- FEMA to resume in-person training at National Fire Academy
- A timeline of federal program changes impacting the fire service
Cybertruck fires
Tesla-related fire incidents highlight a growing operational and investigative challenge for the fire service. On New Year’s Day, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring seven others. Later in the year, firefighters responded to a fire that damaged multiple parked Tesla Cybertrucks at a storage facility in Seattle. And in Massachusetts, arson investigators confirmed that several Tesla Supercharger stations were deliberately set on fire.
- 1 dead, 7 injured when Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Las Vegas Trump hotel
- Seattle officials investigate Tesla Cybertruck fires
- Mass.Tesla charging stations intentionally set on fire
- White House vows crackdown on Tesla arson, vandalism
Pride parade controversy
An orange cat’s now-viral appearance in a pride flag-adorned Spokane Fire Department fire truck sparked cheers at the city’s Pride parade on June 14, spawning dozens of articles and viral videos that swept the nation and racked up millions of views. It also sparked potential discipline for the firefighters who allowed the cat and his owner inside the fire truck and displayed the “politically charged” pride flag.
- Wash. firefighters face discipline over Pride parade participation, flag display and viral cat cameo
- Too much pride? Spokane FD participation in Pride parade prompts debate
Idaho firefighters shot
On June 29, a man armed with a rifle started a wildfire and then began shooting at first responders in a northern Idaho mountain community, killing two firefighters and wounding a third during a barrage of gunfire over several hours.
- Idaho gunman kills 2 firefighters killed, 1 ‘fighting for his life’ after ambush at Idaho wildfire
- ‘I’m pinned down behind Battalion 1’s rig': Audio reveals chief directing help to ambushed Idaho firefighters
- Idaho residents struggle with fatal ambush of firefighters
Texas flood rescues
Heavy rainfall over the July 4 weekend triggered rapid, catastrophic flash flooding in central and Hill Country Texas when rivers like the Guadalupe surged tens of feet in a matter of minutes, overwhelming communities along the waterways. The floods killed more than 130 people, including dozens at summer camps in Kerr County. The event overwhelmed local warning systems and emergency response, prompting state and local leaders to invest in improved flood detection and alerting infrastructure going forward.
- 27 Camp Mystic campers, counselors lost in devastating Texas flooding
- Heroic rescue stories emerge from deadly Texas floodwaters
Washington firefighters detained
Federal officials said two firefighters arrested during the Bear Gulch Fire operation were in the United States illegally. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service requested assistance from Border Patrol on Aug. 27 after contracts with Table Rock Forestry Inc. and ASI Arden Solutions Inc. were ended following a BLM criminal investigation.
- Federal agents detain crews, arrest firefighters battling Wash. wildfire
- Wash. lawmakers react to investigation, arrest of FFs in the country illegally during wildfire
- ICE releases firefighter arrested during Wash. wildfire
Charlie Kirk’s murder and social posts
First responders and public employees in several cities have become the subject of investigations or have been placed on leave over social media posts reacting to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at a Utah Valley University event. Authorities say a single shot was fired from a rooftop before the gunman escaped. The suspect in Kirk’s death was taken into custody on Sept. 12.
- First responders face investigations over social posts about Charlie Kirk’s killing
- Ohio firefighter fired after Charlie Kirk social media post investigation
- ‘It was insensitive...incendiary': Cleveland fire chief on leave after post about Charlie Kirk
9/11: 24 years later
Americans marked 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims. Many loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed joined dignitaries and politicians at commemorations in New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
- Nation marks 24th 9/11 anniversary with solemn tributes and acts of service
- ‘That day has not and does not end': FDNY adds 39 names to World Trade Center Memorial Wall
Michigan firefighters rescue worker from elevator
A hospital employee was rescued Sept. 28 after being trapped for nearly seven hours in an elevator in C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Firefighters charged over flooded baseball field
Two Montgomery County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Services firefighters were charged with three misdemeanors — malicious destruction of property, conspiracy to commit it and disorderly conduct — after using engine water to flood a baseball field adjacent to the fire station. The incident occurred following a dispute over baseballs striking vehicles in the station parking lot.
- Md. firefighters charged after deliberately flooding baseball field
- Md. firefighters acquitted in baseball field flooding case
Government shutdown impacts firefighters
While several departments have detailed contingency plans, many employees serving fire-focused agencies were immediately furloughed as others continue to maintain essential services until a spending agreement can be reached.
FDNY building collapse
A massive brick chimney running 20 stories up the side of a New York City apartment building collapsed after an explosion, sending tons of debris plummeting to the ground. The falling bricks buried a sidewalk, landed on the playground of the public housing building and sent a cloud of dust billowing over the block in the Bronx.
Dog rescued from cliff
A pet dog fell off an oceanside bluff in San Francisco and spent more than 20 minutes clinging to a narrow ledge until firefighters came to its rescue.
Fire hose stabbed at scene
Dallas police arrested a woman after she allegedly stabbed a fire hose while firefighters were battling a house fire, causing water to spray out.
Chief Fennessy to lead U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Brian Fennessy has been tapped to lead the newly created United States Wildland Fire Service. Fennessy shared the news during the announcement of his retirement as OCFA chief.
11 firefighters injured in blast
Eleven firefighters were hurt when the roof of a burning home collapsed on them in Salisbury.
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